India’s Accessibility Guidelines Transform the Film Experience for Divyang Audiences

By Pickle November 28, 2024

With new standards for Closed Captioning and Audio Description, India’s push for inclusive cinema ensures everyone can experience the magic of movies.

The Indian government has issued Accessibility Standards Guidelines for the Public Exhibition of Feature Films in Cinema Theatres to cater to the cinema viewing needs of Divyang individuals. These guidelines are clear and comprehensive, with a fair implementation timeline and associated costs.

Co-founder of Qube Cinema Technologies, Senthil Kumar, discussed the technical and creative aspects of providing closed captions for Divyang audiences, emphasizing the need for balance in audio descriptions. He also highlighted various accessibility features, including Closed Captioning Devices and Audio Description Services, designed to enhance the cinema experience for all.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned special attention being given to opportunity and accessibility for Divyangjan, aiming to create an inclusive society, foster harmony, and progress together as one. In March 2024, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) issued the guidelines to benefit persons with hearing and visual impairments.

Key features of Accessibility Standards include ensuring accessibility of films to persons with hearing and visual impairments, requiring feature films certified in more than one language to comply with the guidelines within 6 months and all others within two years.

At least one accessibility feature each for the hearing impaired and visually impaired viz. Closed Captioning & Audio Description, accessible features deployed by licensees of cinema theatres using customised equipment in theatres or Mobile Apps during the regular show, and applicable for feature films for public exhibition in cinema halls/movie theatres for commercial purposes.

Accessibility standards have not only been defined for film content but also on assistive devices and theatre infrastructure, incorporating global best practices to prescribe the accessibility needed by persons with Hearing and Visual Impairment to enjoy films in cinema theatres.

Mandatory accessibility features include “Audio Description” and “Closed Captioning,” which are used to make both the audio dialogue and sound representations of a film visible on demand by the user via on-screen text that is synchronized with the audio content. Additional accessibility features include “Indian Sign Language” interpretation by Interpreters, accurate, synchronized, and conveying clear messages to the hearing impaired.

Starting January 1st, 2025, films submitted for prestigious events like the National Film Awards & International Film Festival will also need to comply with these guidelines. Accessible features may be deployed by cinema theatres through separate equipment in theatres, mobile apps, and other technologies.